Why should dancers set goals? Because a clear goal tells you what to work on, shows you whether the work is paying off, and keeps you going on the days practice feels long. A SMART goal does all three, and below you’ll find how to write one, plus a flexibility goal example to get you started. Dance takes physical and mental strength. You have to move with precision and grace and still express yourself, and that’s a lot to improve at once without a plan. At Nan’s School of Dance, we think goal setting is one of the most useful tools a dancer has.
How to set a SMART goal
A goal lets you decide what you want and make a plan to get it. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. A SMART goal answers three questions: What exactly do you want to accomplish? How will you know you’re getting there? And when do you want to get there?
A flexibility goal example
Say you want to improve your flexibility. “Get more flexible” is a wish. “Touch my toes without bending my knees within three months” is a SMART goal: it’s specific and measurable, it’s realistic, it’s relevant to dance, and it has a deadline. Each week, check how close you are to your toes. If you aren’t getting closer, change your stretching routine so you can still hit your three months. Our dance stretches for flexibility are a good place to start.
Goal setting keeps you motivated
Dance asks for long hours of practice and a high level of fitness. If you don’t know what you’re working toward, it’s easy to get discouraged and lose interest. A goal gives every practice a purpose, so you have a reason to show up when you’re tired. For more ideas, read how to stay motivated during dance practice.
Long-term and short-term goals
Set a few of each.
- Short-term goals take a few weeks or months. You get to check them off fairly quickly, and that feeling keeps you going while you work on the bigger ones.
- Long-term goals take several months or years. They need patience and perseverance, but they also give you a direction, so all those short-term goals add up to something.
Measures your progress
When you track your goals, you can see how far you’ve come and what’s left to do. Tracking also shows you where you need more work, so you can change your training to match. Writing it down helps, and our post on the power of journaling for dancers shows you how to keep a dance journal. If you’re in one of our preteen and teen classes, your teacher’s corrections are a great place to look for your next goal.
Promotes accountability
Setting a goal is a promise to yourself. Once you’ve made it, you feel responsible for keeping it, which makes it easier to stay on track. Dancers who set goals are more likely to own their training and push themselves to follow through.
Celebrate achievements
And when you reach a goal, celebrate! Reaching a goal is a big deal. The pride you feel when you get there is what makes you want to set the next one.
Reach your goals with Nan’s School of Dance
At Nan’s School of Dance, our goal is to provide top-quality instruction at a competitive price. We encourage our students to reach technical proficiency in their favorite dance form and build self-discipline, poise, and self-esteem. We offer instruction in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, and Pre-Dance, at all levels.
We love having new members in our dance classes and will help get your child acclimated to our dance school to make them feel right at home. When your child attends Nan’s School of Dance, they will become a part of our dance family and share in our love for dance!
Don’t forget to register!
From ballet to hip hop, we offer dance classes for ALL ages and skill levels in a variety of styles. We place students in classes that will challenge them while offering a fun atmosphere for learning and growth. We also offer Mommy & Me classes (18 months – 2.5 years). Register online or give us a call at (919) 803-6044 to hold your spot!
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Want to read more about dance?
Take a look at some of our other articles about technique & training.